May 21, 2013 1:54 pm

Pierce County prosecutors have charged a man with second-degree murder for allegedly killing a man with a single punch at a Lakewood bar.

Robert Ancheta, 31, pleaded not guilty to the charge this afternoon. Bail was set at $1 million. His girlfriend, who was arrested on suspicion of helping hide Ancheta from police, is set to be released today pending further investigation.

The assault happened Wednesday at the Last Call bar in the 7300 block of Lakewood Drive.

Witnesses saw Anthony Vasquez, 47, bump into Ancheta while both were playing separate games of pool. The men argued. Police say Ancheta punched Vasquez so hard he fell unconscious to the ground and hit his head.

“At this point there is no indication from the investigation that Vasquez was an aggressor or that Ancheta was lawfully defending himself,” according to charging papers.

Vasquez died at the hospital Friday after being taken off life support. Ancheta was arrested Monday morning at a Puyallup home.